The Russellville School District had originally scheduled Jim Dickerson’s come-and-go retirement reception for 3:30-5:30 p.m. today at the RHS cafe. But thanks to three, nearly four, sports teams playing for Class 6A state championships Saturday, the retiring athletic director hardly has time to retire.

“All three of those are extra exciting,” Dickerson said Tuesday. “Having three championship games in one day is very special. We had two in one day last year, and we had a chance to have four this year. The kids have really done an outstanding job this year.”

Also the district’s director of transportation, Dickerson explained there is enough transportation and drivers to get both RHS soccer teams and the Lady Cyclones softball teams to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville on Saturday before the first state title game at 2 p.m. at Razorback Field.

Another great aspect is Bogle Park, the university’s softball complex, is literally right across the street from the soccer venue.

“Everything’s working real good,” Dickerson said. “Last week was very interesting, to play in Mountain and find hotel rooms for four teams. But my secretary, Debbie Moudy, did an outstanding job.

“One thing I learned a long time ago — to be successful, you must surround yourself with good people. My office staff is fantastic, our coaching staff is fantastic, then you surround yourself with fantastic kids. Great things begin to happen after that.”

Russellville High School’s seniors will graduate Friday night, then the road trip to the Fayetteville campus will begin Saturday morning for many.

“There should be a pretty good flow of traffic headed that way [to Northwest Arkansas] from Russellville,” Dickerson pointed out. “They’ve already said there’s going to be a high volume of traffic [on Interstate 40] and parking should be at a minimum [on UA campus]. We hope everyone can find a parking place, watch the girls play, the boys play and watch the softball game. That’s a full day of athletics.”Before all that, however, there’s Dickerson’s reception today at the RHS Cafe. He said he didn’t feel bad at all that Russellville’s championship Saturday has overshadowed his retirement party.

“That’s the way it should be,” he added. “I appreciate her [Moudy] putting this together, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be around. But what is happening Saturday is what it’s all about.”